About MEG

Moorabool Environment Group (MEG) is a non-profit community association in Moorabool Shire, Victoria, Australia. Our group is made up of volunteers who aim to raise awareness of and advocate for our unique local environment as well as broader environmental issues.

MEG has over 50 members, over 100 newsletter recipients, and a management committee of seven members. MEG is an incorporated association, registered with Consumer Affairs Victoria. Our meetings are usually held on the last Wednesday of each month. 

We are located in Moorabool Shire, Victoria, Australia. Moorabool Shire is home to spectacular gorges and State and National Parks, and many threatened species including Swift Parrots (in autumn/winter), Growling Grass Frogs, Greater Gliders, Platypus and the endemic Werribee Blue Box tree. Find out more about our unique local environment here.

Moorabool Shire stretches from the eastern boundary of Ballarat through to the western boundary of greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It includes the lovely towns of Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Myrniong, Gordon, Blackwood, Lal Lal, and many other locations. 

We are lucky to sit at the juxtaposition of the Victorian Volcanic Plains and the Central Victorian Uplands - encompassing diverse environments from critically endangered wildflower grasslands, through to the tree-fern laden gullies of Wombat Forest.

The Traditional Owners of these lands are the Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri  Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We pay respect to their elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their ongoing connection to and care for these lands.

MEG's general activities include meetings, field trips, guest speakers, wildlife monitoring, pollution monitoring, and joining in with local revegetation and litter cleanup activities. We also undertake major environmental advocacy actions, including legal action against proposals which would damage our local environment, meeting with local and State government representatives, and making submissions to government agencies. Our activities and actions are guided by our Vision and Purposes outlined below.

Moorabool Environment Group works toward a flourishing, vibrant, regenerated natural environment in Moorabool Shire and beyond, where biodiversity is valued and protected, effective action on climate change is taken, and landscapes, waterways, air and ecosystems are environmentally healthy. We aspire toward community pride in our natural environment.

Moorabool Environment Group exists to protect, improve, advocate for, educate about, and increase human connection with the natural environment. We work on the principle of "Think Global, Act Local". 

Our focus is on the area within the Moorabool Shire, including the quality and biodiversity of the land and soils, waterways, air, ecosystems and native species of the area. 

Specific areas and interest and concern to the Moorabool Environment Group are: 

1. The natural landscape of Moorabool Shire, including but not limited to the Lederderg State Park, the Wombat State Forest, the Werribee Gorge State Park, Brisbane Ranges National Park and all biolinks. 

2. The waterways of Moorabool Shire, including but not limited to the Lederderg River, the Werribee River, the Moorabool River, Parwan Creek and all tributaries. 

3. The natural environment in and around the towns within the Moorabool Shire, including but not limited to Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Gordon and Blackwood. 

4. Environmentally responsible living within the Moorabool Shire, including but not limited to green and blue infrastructure, the role of recycling, reducing waste and carbon emissions, transitioning to renewable and clean energy. 

5. Addressing activities that may be harmful to the natural environment within the Moorabool Shire, including the impact of mining, deforestation, inappropriate waste management, and energy projects associated with inappropriate development and habitat loss. 

We stand with the Wurundjeri and Wadawurrung people who have cared for all life here for tens of thousands of years and still do. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this country that was never ceded and their continuing connection to land, waters and community.

We work with the local community towards addressing the challenges of climate change, conservation and regeneration. We work with our community, Landcare and other groups, and government in practical ways to address our areas of interest and focus.